On October 1, 2014 the Winter Tire law went into effect in BC. Do you know which highways are affected?

You must use winter tires (passenger vehicles) or carry chains (commercial trucks) between October 1 and March 31 on most BC highways.

British Columbia's climates range from freezing cold to pleasantly mild in the winter; equipping your vehicle appropriately depends on what you are driving and where you are driving.

What is a Winter Tire?

British Columbia accepts “mountain snowflake” or “mud and snow” tires with at least 3.5 mm tread as winter tires.

Check your tires for these signs:

The mountain/snowflake symbol on the side of the tire
These winter tires offer the best traction on snow and ice, and in cold weather.

The mud and snow symbol on the side of the tire
These winter tires offer better traction than summer tires, however, they are less effective than mountain/snowflake tires on snow and ice, and in cold weather.

3.5 mm tread
Tires must have 3.5 mm of tread remaining to be considered winter tires.

Matching Winter Tires
You must have at least 2 matching winter tires on the same axle, but we recommend using 4

Studded Tires
May be used on BC highways from October 1 to April 30, but must have mountain/snowflake or M+S symbols to be considered winter tires.

Drivers in some parts of the southern coast, where regulations are more relaxed due to warmer weather, should use discretion when equipping their vehicles.

Designated Winter Tire and Chain-up Routes

Drivers must obey Winter Tire and Chain signs throughout the province. The designated routes require passenger vehicles to be equipped with M+S or mountain/snowflake tires, and commercial vehicles to carry chains from October 1 to March 31.

Click on the links below to see the regional highways requiring winter tires and chains.